O'Driscoll injury blow as Buccs end Con's unbeaten record
The extra burden on the league leaders was the loss of prop forward John O'Driscoll who broke his ankle and is likely to be out for the rest of the season.
Still, there was light at the end of the tunnel when the result of the Shannon/Ballymena game filtered through. Constitution, at least, were able to hold onto their slim lead at the top of the table that was just about the only pleasing aspect of the game for all concerned at Temple Hill because Buccaneers produced a marvellous display to run out deserving winners.
Constitution have enjoyed a fair share of luck in this campaign, but the best they could have expected on Saturday was to emerge with a bonus point. Even that was denied them deep into injury time when the visitors scored their third try en-route to a marvellous win.
Constitution coach Brian Walsh conceded: "The good thing from our point of view was that we showed a bit of character in difficult circumstances but any other outcome would have been a travesty."
Walsh admitted there would have to be a lot of hard work put in to sustain the challenge for home advantage in the semi finals. Buccaneers, Belfast Harlequins, Ballymena and Blackrock are back in the hunt and Walsh knows Con will have to play much better than this to sustain the effort to the end of the campaign.
"We will have to be far more competitive than this. Buccaneers were sharper, very good at the breakdown and very good also at unloading in the tackle."
That's an area that Buccaneers have worked hard on over the last couple of months and they clearly had the personnel to carry out the plan.
Few were more influential on Saturday than number eight David Kelly, flanker Gavin Schoeman, second row Christian Short and hooker Gareth Halligan.
Schoeman is the most experienced of that quartet but the other three came in for high praise from all and sundry, not least from coach John McKee. "They are youngsters who can make a big impression on club and probably representative rugby over the next few years.
"I was delighted with the overall effort. It was an important result from our perspective."
Constitution had a good start when Derek Dillon went over for a fifth minute try but they were unable to build on that as Buccaneers hogged possession and territory. Kelly's super try in 19 minutes allowed David Connellan the easy task of converting and Buccs enjoyed a 7-5 half time advantage.
Martin Cahill ploughed over for the second 14 minutes into the second half after William Wallace's fine break and the out half also tacked on the additional points before stretching the lead to 17-5 with a drop goal.
Constitution made a late fight of it when substitute Steve McColl ran in at the corner but Buccaneers finished with a flourish. Connellan hit an upright with a penalty but further pressure opened the way for Schoeman to get in for a try three minutes into injury time.
: D. Dillon, T. O'Leary, C. Mahony, J. V. Igarza, C. Healy, C. O'Sullivan, P. McCarthy, G. Murray, D. Murray, J. O'Driscoll, K. Coughlan, S. O'Connor, D. Keane, U. O'Callaghan, J. Murray (captain). Replacements. M. Ross for J. O'Driscoll (inj), S. McColl for C. Mahony (inj), C. O'Keeffe for O'Connor (inj), T. Ryan for G. Murray, D. O'Brien for Coughlan (inj).
: N. O'Hara, O. Brennan, P. O'Sullivan, W. Wallace, W. Munn, D. Connellan, C. Keane, A. Nash, G. Halligan, M. Cahill, N. Smullen, C. Short, G. Schoeman, D. Kelly, E. Brennan (captain). Replacements. C. Finnerty for Kelly (inj), S. Stephens for Wallace, T. Allnutt for O'Sullivan.
: D. McHugh (Munster).
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